RIP Boris Yeltsin (1931-2007)

Tennis lost one of its great supporters. The Kremlin has confirmed that Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin died of heart failure today. He was 76.

As the world celebrates his life and his significant role in world politics as the first leader of Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, we should not forget that he did his part, for better or for worse, to bring tennis into the Russian limelight.

He was there when Russia defeated France in the 2004 Fed Cup final (left), and when Russia beat Argentina for the Davis Cup this past December. He was also around for other matches, like the first all-Russian Grand Slam final at the 2004 French Open.